Estranged husband, 45, accused of stabbing nurse to death in front of two of her kids is charged with murder – as he's treated at the same hospital she worked at for self-inflicted wounds
- Karen Gilliland was allegedly stabbed to death by her partner on Tuesday night
- Her two daughters witnessed the horrific scene at their Rockhampton house
- Queensland Police said the death was one of the worst they had seen in years
- Nigel Gilliland 45, has been charged with murder (domestic violence offence)
The estranged husband of a nurse who was stabbed to death in front of her children has been charged with murder.
Nigel Gilliland will face the Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Thursday over the alleged attack on 42-year-old mother Karen Gilliland outside her home on Tuesday.
Two of Ms Gilliland's three children watched her die inside their Queensland home.
Emergency crews fought to save her but she was too badly injured.
Karen Gilliland, 42, was stabbed multiple times at her house in Rockhampton in central Queensland on Tuesday night
The mother-of-three had been a nurse at Rockhampton Hospital and was living in a separate house to her husband
Gilliland, 45, has been charged with her murder (domestic violence offence) and enter with intent.
He was arrested a couple of hours after allegedly fleeing Ms Gilliland's home in the Rockhampton suburb of The Range. They had been living apart.
He has had surgery for self-inflicted wounds in the same hospital where Ms Gilliland worked.
Her children are currently staying with their grandfather.
A friend to Ms Gilliland, Tricia Whitlock, said she was the 'most caring' soul she had ever met.
Share this article
'Her high morals and careful perception of life and the world was something she took absolute pride in instilling in her children,' Ms Whitlock told The Courier Mail.
'Her contagious smile will be forever missed but always remembered.
'Karen encouraged her son to include mine and all of his uniqueness and they have been best friends ever since that is the type of person Karen is and what she's all about.'
Police arrived at the home around 7pm after neighbours saw two young girls running and screaming
A 45-year-old man, believed to be her husband Nigel Gilliland, remains under police guard in hospital after suffering self-inflicted injuries to his arms
Police said the crime scene was among the worst they've seen, and Ms Gilliland's children have been left to carry the images of their mother's brutal slaying.
'It's a horrific scene for all included, especially those children to see that happen to their mum,' Acting Inspector Luke Peachey said on Wednesday.
'We've been police officers for a number of years, and this is one of the worst things we've seen.'
'(The three children) are very shaken up. And I might add, as are the police who attended, and the QAS officers.'
Gilliland is expected to face court on Thursday.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
The mother was found with multiple stab wounds to her torso and was unable to be revived by police who performed CPR
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
